Homescan, Get Gifts for Free!

Homescan is a marketing device in which consumers scan the bar codes of items they buy, and then send this information through the Internet, or their telephone. By doing this, supposedly you will be helping consumers by sharing your opinion.
I don't see how scanning my groceries is sharing an opinion, but either way, I wanted free stuff, and they were going to give it. How could I loose?

BECOMING A MEMBER:

It is hard to become a member of Homescan, and if you sign up now, it could be 2 years before you get confirmed to become a participating member. Once you get the okay, they will send you a scanner in the mail within the next 2-8 weeks.

I had been on the waiting list for two years and completely forgot about signing up, and then one day out of the blue, in the mail came my letter of approval, and 2 weeks later, my scanner.

WITH THE SCANNER COMES BAR CODES:

Along with the scanner will come a booklet of stores in your town and area. The booklet is huge, so you could be there scanning them all into the device for quite some time. Under the list of stores are bar codes, only add the ones you know you will shop at, or add them all in the event you ever find yourself shopping there. My booklet covers most of the stores on Long Island where I am from.

Included with the scanner will be a booklet of great items you can get when you have enough points. You will get points every time you submit your scans in to Homescan. You can also get points by doing surveys for them as well.
The scanner comes with a resting charge cradle, that gets plugged into a standard American wall outlet. It takes up little room, and can be left right on your kitchen counter.

You just shopped at King Kullen, now what? How it works:

You act like an employee. You will scan the bar codes of each item, and the scanner will ask for the price, you enter it in by hitting enter. You will do this will all of your items. Next the scanner will ask for the total. Check your receipt for the total, and enter it in. Some stores do not need prices, and the scanner will let you know if you need them or not.

HOW TO TRANSMIT YOUR INFORMATION TO HOMESCAN:

Next you can send this information in to Homescan using the computer, or your phone. I found the phone method is easiest. The scanner will ask you if you are ready to transmit, and give you a toll free number to call.
Once you call the number, you will be asked to place the scanners phone piece on top of the talk piece on your home phone. Hit enter, and now a series of strange tones will come from the scanner. Don't ask me how they do it, but it seems that the sounds are what gets transmitted to them. Pretty odd, but it works nonetheless.

Next you will be told if the scan went through properly or not. If not do it again. It takes a mere 5 seconds.

SCAN:

Homescan asks that you transmit your scans at least once a week, if possible. I try to scan everything but sometimes get too wrapped up in life to bother with it. But do keep in mind that with each transmission, you gain more points, and you also get entered into a contest to win great items.

I scan about once a week and gain about 400 points a month. With these points I have a nice selection of rewards. You simply choose your reward from the reward book by scanning the bar code under the item. Pretty nifty, you then dial the number and it gets sent to Homescan. Your gift will arrive in about 2-4 weeks. No need to even talk to a real person.

Small items include lamps, lanterns, knick knacks for the home, toys for kids, and games. Hot ticket items include telescopes, coach bags, baby carriages, and much more. I've been saving up for a coach bag. I should acquire it in about 9 months. Gaining points is easy, and the points gain fast. You will be surprised at how soon you too can have a hot ticket item.
I would gain more points if I just scanned more often, but laziness and my work schedule gets in the way of me scanning often.

If you do not scan in a 5 week period, Homescan will ask for the device back, so make sure you scan at least once a month or they will drop you from the program. That wouldn't be fun seeing how only a few members get chosen a year. If you will be away for longer than 5 weeks simply call homescan and let them know, that way they do not ask for the scanner back.

Your homescan will also come with a return label in the event that your scanner ever breaks, you have to send it back and await a new one.

What's best about Homescan is that it's all free. You will be charged nothing for the scanner, nothing to return it, and in the long run just for scanning once a month you will eventually get a gift you want, and you could also win gifts or money every time you scan. The more you scan the better your chances of winning.

Get yourself on the waiting list as soon as possible by registering yourself at www.homescan.com.

OVERALL:

It has been an easy device to use, and I have yet to encounter any problems with my device. It scans nearly everything I buy. In the event it does not though, you can always add in the bar code yourself. I enjoy the fact that for a few minutes a week, I soon will be able to have a coach bag or telescope sent to me all for free. Not only that, I could win money or other gifts just for transmitting my scans.

Happy scanning!